Method and apparatus for centrifugally producing structures of plastic material deviating from straight form



Aug. 26. 1930. C w, WATSON 1,774,192

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CENTRIFUGALLY PRODUCING STRUCTURES OF PLASTIC MATERIAL DEVIATING FROM STRAIGHT FORM Filed lay 6, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Attm'ney Aug. 26. T930. 3. w w 'rsq 1,774,192

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CENTRIFUGALLY PRODUCING STRUCTURES OF PLASTIC MATERIAL DEVIATINGT FROM STRAIGHT FORM Filed May 6, 1927 5' Sheets-Sheet 2 I V E NTOR;

I Mmrn'ey 1,774,192 TURES 0F PLASTIC 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 .,\S l! |:l E Y Y. A .QN. W n, E E.T. -.F.., L m h f k A E U P a. wwx f a v Uni mm A m QR a: nu wmfiwmm A W k 8. O U A X N R Q M m 6 Aug. 26. 1930. v c w, WATSON METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CENTRIFUGALLY PRODUCING STRUG MATERIAL 'DEVIATING FROM STRAIGHT FORM Filed May 6, 1927 Aug. 26. 1930. g, w, WATSON 1,774,192

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CENTRIFUGALLY PRODUCING STRUCTURES OF PLASTIC MATERIAL DEVIATING FROM STRAIGHT FORM Filed lay 6, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 VV I/mm 14676011 \NVENTOR;

' Alkomey Aug. 26. 1930. c w WATSON 1,774,192

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GEN'I'RIFUGALLY PRODUCING STRUCTURES OF PLASTIC MATERIAL DEVIATING FROM STRAIGHT FORM Filed May 6, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 w 6 E1 W 3 1 o 5:: c

fl E FUDGE] R 5 2; gtjmum v. m h :[EJILUUI *9, a 3g ,UUU i EB fa? DDEH] u R [:IEIEHJ x I! Q 23 I? Charles Wflliafn Warso n INVENTOR;

By k

' Attorney Patented Aug. 26, 1930 oHAnLEswILLIeM wArsojmo-F s'r. KILna, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA Y METHODAND, APPARATUS-FOB, GENTBIFUGALLY PnonUcI GsTRUor-UnEsoE PLASTIC .MATEBIALIDEVIATING Freer/r STRAIGHT nonlvr J principally pipes, which include a deviation such as a curved or angular bend or unction,

or a plurality 0t deviations, the materialused being cement agglomerate or other suitable plastic matter, With-orI'Without embedded reintorcement. The invention relates alsoto apparatus for usingthe process, and to result- 10 ant structures, including the producing of predetermined contours; V 1

- It is important that the position of the reinforcement 'shall'be' as predetermined, and consequently I provide devices which ensure it that thereinforcemen t shall not become displaced or deformed While'being embedded.

The invention isapplicabl e in the; production of hollow structuresof various-types-and cross sections, as eylind r-iform, polygonal 20 and ovoform. f

In order to obtaiffeq'uilibrium,or substan-- tial equilibrium, mouldingunits (two for exampIeQ- are symmetrically grouped, and arerotated as'one rotor. i I In suitable cases I use'a balancing mass or masses also. I cause'agglomerate to be fed into the moulding units and to travel in courses herein described, to build up the structures partly retrogressively, andpartly radi all-y 'aboutanaX'is-ot rotation. p

' The moulding means of each unit includes outer and inner configuring-members, called herein, for distinctiveness amouldand a core respectively, between Which is a; moulding space, or spaces, each mould and core beingusually made of connected segments. The core segments in some-cases have transverse divisions suitably united andfor thev travel of agglomerate into the moulding space to requirements. e I

The agglomerate travels 'centrifugally mto the moulding space or spaces, a deflector,

axis of rotation, conveniently. ensuring differential' feedingashereinaiter explained.

Any suitable statoris employable, for exampleone-of known type-by which centri'fw gal mechanism, termed-a rotor, issupport'ed thereby) becoming covered exteriorly andzin-.

or spaces,the' core is perforated;according which is preferably arranged'angularly to the 189,419, and in Australia May 24, 19 26.

by rollers at each. end; the being I tional "or otherwise.

Thei'devices for positioning reintorce-ment are-carried by or on aformative part suclras. a core,.the reinforcement: (held; position teriorly with. a'ggl' omenate of predetemnined thickness; Reinforcement includes Wire cages; of suitable desiglnwith.longitudinal Wires or members connected; theretm I' arrange the reinforcement andapparatus to enable. fittings for 'ofitakes tobe: incorporated'and to enable oflsets, inspection openingmyenti l-aa tors, or-so ontobexprovided; Inthisspecification the-term structure indicateszanyar+ trcl e to-inake which this lnventlonj is applicable. Axgzglomenate means cement, cementi-- tic-us: material, and the like, Without? or: with; remfIOr-cement; Theterm 1 .reinfo-rcement covers any suitable arrangement of material, Whichis for example coiled 'wihei'witzh at tacheda. longitudin al- 7 members: combined by welding or otherwise. i

In the: accompanying drawings; which; are: diagrammatic, an embodiment "orfi'the inu'ene tion is illustrated by way-0t ex ample, applied: to the manufacture of pair of: curved, also. herein-called.deviating, pipeslby meansioij mggr bi u-nit rotor; T1I6 invention is. not limited thereto, and details ot what li illustrate describe may be modified While keeping Wilihr. in the scope ot my claims. Thus the illustrated spigot and faucet "ends:'may be;- ex changedin positions relatively to the feedi of agglomerateg and double spigoted, double f fau-ceted flanged, orother desire'distructures may b'e p'roduced; I Figural: isal ilockplan of a bi -unit rotor.

.Whicluin-portions-dividedby linesXZW and VZ, Y, is shown enlargedwitn furtherdetails in Figures $3; ka'ncl d,v f-

FigureQfisa View, par in planned-partly in section, oft'th'e portion-bounded by lines Figure 3 isa sectionoftheportion bounded bylinesV'ZWr i I Figure 4k is a plan o'fthe portion bounded bylinesXZY-L I Figureo isaplan, portion bounded by lines Y, a V v artlyinsectio ot as g H I and associated elements.

Figure 10 is an enlargement of part of Figure 3 showing parts of a core division joint, separated.

Figure 11 shows details of a contractible ring at a core divisionjoint.

Figure 12 is an enlargement of part of Figure 3, and shows details whereby the deflector is secured.

Figure 13 is a cross section through part of a configuring ring.

Figure 14 is an interior face view of part Of the said ring. a

Figure 15 is a cross section through Figure 14, but with operating means in another position.

Figure 16 is a view of means connecting the mould shell to an annulus.

The units which are combined as one rotor, are. shown as identical, and where similar structures are to be made they are so, or substantially so, each adapted to mould a pipe having a deviation or bend; and they may be modified to result in production of structures to which additions may be coupled or'fitted,

Coupled to the mould shell of each unit is a rotor annulus A,,having. a roller path 5 flanged at a; the annuli being concentric with the axis of rotation XW. M are moulds, each having a shell m carried by configuring ends B, D, the shell and ends each being conveniently formedof a pair of united segments with jointing means, shown, see Figures 2 to 5, as angle irons 0 having flanges is connected by bolts 38. i

G is the core. The mould shell and core are in some cases at each end straight as at m and @(Figure 3), to produce structures having ends which facilitate jointing, and.

setting'in proper alignment, pipes or other 7 structures. The mould halves are united by crown plates G, H, shown attached by rivets 36 (see Figures/1 and 6) along and to the crowns ofthe shells; and by web plates J, K, attached by rivets 37 (see Figures 2 and 5), to flanges I: of angle irons 0 on each half mould. Bolting together of mould halves is effected, after staunching material, such as rubber insertion, hasbeen applied between flanges la. The crown plates G, H, have apertures as 39, 40, to allow ofaccess to nuts of bolts 38, and generally to facilitate fitting, and the operation .of a coupling 35 hereinafter described.

The units-symmetrically arranged relatively to their common axis of rotationare in some cases connected by tie-bars f having heads e and threaded couplings g, each head being housed in a chamber it having walls 2' carried by an annulus.

In addition to, or without using tie bars 7", I pass studs 48 through flanges a and connecting plates 46, secured on the mould exterior by rivets 47.

Each unit has ends S, S which together with mould ends B, D, are contoured to produce required configurations of the pipe or other structure. End S for. example, configures the interior of a faucet, and end S the end of a spigot.- Parts B and D mould the exteriors of the faucet and spigot ends respectively, and are riveted to shell m. C is a core which, to facilitate its withdrawal, is divided transversely into parts which butt against or join an intermediate contractible ring 14. I There are core divisions to suit the structure, which mayinclude a plurality of curves, each division including longitudinal segments, the illustrated core having three segments 2 and three segments 5, see Figures 9 and 10, segments 2 forming one division, and'seginents 5 another. For uniting core divisions the inner end of each segment 2 carries (see Figure 10) an are 8, and the inner end of each segment 5 carries an are 11, the arcs when assembled overlapping. There is a contractible ring 14 embracing arcs 8, while an inner expandible ring'15 (Figure 3) press-es arcs 11 outwardly, so that parts 8 and 11. are firmly held together. Ring 14 has a gap 18 with means, such as an overlapping tongue 17 covering the gap to prevent agglomerate entering the core interior, and affecting the rotor equilibrium. To allow of easy withdrawal of the ring 15, it has a flange 16, the ring seat being marked 53 in Figure 10. The elements described unite the parts of the transversely divided core, and produce a continuous collapsible moulding element.

Ring 14: has annular recesses 19, 50, whereby when arcs 8 are assembled, if parts he come locked together, a lever may be inserted in recess 50 to dislodge the ends 51 of said example, plate 7 which when the core 1s assembled rests in a seat, a, n respectively, of the ends S, S Core segment outer ends are held in operative position relatively to ends S-S by expandible locking rings, E and F respectively. To prevent dislodgement of rying the said ring,-in this instance the end S. To facilitate removal of the ring froni the moulded material after withdrawing the end S, means are provided; for this purpose a loop 8. is shown, pivoted tothe ring by a member 6 part of; which is embedded in ring p, the inner face of the ring 39 having a recess r to allow of the loop being closed down.

Toprevent locked in air obstructing the complete filling of the moulding area I provide airescape holes or ports 3 in, but not confined to, the end S.

Toproduce an exterior configuration in the aipe or other structure the end D is at will contoured; when contoured. as at 4-5 it fo ms an annular recess. hlember S is shown with a number of ribs to which form channels or passageways a: on the interior surface of the faucet for escape of surplus liquid during moulding, and similar means may be usedas to other surfaces.

The rotor (Figure 1) being assembled, the operation of my invention is as follows The rotor is spun atrcquired velocity, and agglomerate is fed from opposite ends into the core. 7

When such material strikes a deflector it (Figure 3) it passes through adjacent perforations 19 into the moulding space, and travels to the extremity in each unit furthest from the feed end. Building up of the structure then proceeds retrogressively; and, as the filling, of the moulding space progresses, retrogressive building lessens and it is supplemented by radial fillin I As moulding continues the agglomerate flows into the faucets, expelling imprisoned air through vents y, all, moulding spaces becoming filled. On consolidation being completed, rotation is stopped, and the rings E and F arewithdrawn. The deflector 23 and the ring 15 are then removed, leaving the core segments eXtractible, to facilitate which alever can be inserted into recesses 0, 0 under J the thickened ends 7 of saidsegments;

In due course the end S is removed, as by inserting a lever into recesses 0 leaving the contouring ring p still in contact with plastic material. By drawing loop 8 towards the axis of rotation, the ring ,p becomes deformed, and on being grasped at each side is readily removed.

Rotation is resumed, advisedly at reduced velocity, after recesses including any holes formed in the structure surface but not further required, are filled in any obvious manner, as by hand, and the surface generally is smoothed by any suitable means. In "practice a smooth coat of finishing material is then applied. The annuli aforesaid and all bolts are next removed. This leavesithe moulds separable for freeing from andremoval of multaneous rotation, a single unit rotor, constructed according to this invention, provided with a balancing means, could obviously be made at will.

I claim 1. In the process of moulding plastic material to simultaneously produce a plurality of structures each having one or more deviations, supplying the material into respective feed'spaces located opposite to and spaced apart from one another, but arranged about common axis,of rotation, each said feed space communicating with a moulding space, the axis of rotation passing through the feed portion of each moulding space.

2. In the process of moulding plastic material to simultaneously produce a plurality of structures each having one or more deviations, supplying the material into respective feed spaces located opposite to and spaced apart from one another, but arranged about a common axis of rotation, each said feed space communicating with a moulding space, the axis of rotation passing through the feed portion of each moulding space, a divergent portion of each moulding space crossing the axis of rotation, and another divergent portion rotating about said axis of rotation.

3. In apparatus for making structures of the kind described centrifugally,-a moulding space formed by means which include divergent divisions of a core one of which includes the axis of rotation, the divisions being connected by jointing means which include an outer holding element which tends to contract and an inner holding element which tends to expand.

l. In apparatus for making structures of the kind described centrifugally, a moulding space formed by means which include divergent divisions of a core one of which includes the axis of rotation, the divisions being connected by jointing means which include an outer element tending to contract and embracing the meeting ends of segments of adjacent core divisions, and an inner element tending to expand pressing said ends against the outer element.

5. In apparatus for making structures of the kind described containing metal reinforcement of cage form, a segmented core carrying projections which directly contact with and retain the said reinforcement in position relatively to the core during the centrifugal operation, each projection being bevelled at one or each end to facilitate removal of the core.

6. In apparatus for making structures of the kind described, a core, portion of the length of which is perforated, with at the inner extremity of the said portion, means to deflect through perforations plastic material projected against said means.

7. In apparatus for making structures of the kind described, acore, portion of the enclosing the core, the apparatus being re- V the said material to the end of saidmoulding space. R r

. 8. In apparatus for making structures of,

the kind describedyaicore,portion of the tic material to flow to amoulding space, a

deflector to'direct plastic materialthrough the perforations, the-remainder of the 5 core being unperforated to. constrain and guide length of which is perforated to. permit plast-icmaterial to flow to a moulding space, a deflector to gyrateabout theaxis of rotation and to direct plastic material through the,-

perforations, .the remainder ofthe corebe ing' unperforated to constrain and guide the I said material tothe end of said'moulding space. r

.9. In apparatus for making 'structures'of the kind described, a core enclosing an area to be fed with plastic material, and aremovable'deflector within the core at the inner end of the said area, a moulding space enclosing the core, the apparatus being revolvable, the axis of rotation extending through I that part of the core which contains the feed space.

10. Apparatus for making structures of the kind described, having a core perforated along one part of its length, with at the inner U extremity of the perforated part means to deflect through the perforations plastic material projected into the core and diiferen' tially distribute said plastic material into a moulding space enclosing the. core.

11. In apparatus for making structures of the kind described, a core including longitudinal separable segments and enclosing'an area to be fed with plastic material, and a' removable deflector within the core .at the inner end of the said area, a moulding space .volvable, the axis of rotation extending through that the feed space. I I

12. In apparatus for making'structures of thekindidescribed, a plurality of core'shav-.

ing ends which extend in opposite directions,

I and contain feed areas,the said ends being retained in position by the pressure'of resilient devices. q I d a 1 13. In apparatus for making structures of the kind described, a rotor including .a

plurality of moulding units each having" moulding elements, a roller patlnmeans unitmg each roller-path to a mould element, and. means extending transversely to the axis of: d

' 'part of the material to:retrogressivelyifill part of a. curvilinear moulding space,fand

another part of the material to fill. theficurvi ing thematerial tothe feed'aspacelthreughv H rotation connecting, divergent moulding ele ment ends.

each of which includes, and another part of each ofv which'deviates from, a common aXis of rotation, the feed entrance. includlng the send. axls,

.the said contour forming element being z-re imou ld elements "to end annu-li. x y I :1-8. The process of moulding: p1astic ma;- terial to produce a reinforced-or other'holblow structure ofthe kindsetforthfwhich :consists in supplying-tthe material centrifu g'all'y to-a feed space surroundingthe axis of ter-ial re roduce a. reinforced or otherh'oll'ow .structureof'the kind setfOrth, which conjpart ofthe core which contains V to-a feed space surroundingithe axis ofrrotationof a rotor mould,:causingsai-d material to. thence travel over a. curvilinear surface forcibly consolidating the material.

of each unit theikind described, contour.- forming element of expandi ble and contractiblematerial arrangedto embrace it -moulding .member,

movable from the 'mouildedstructure by'def :ormati-on, and a recess; in which is housable means. to facilitate the said deformation.

. 16.1 In apparatus for making structuresf'of the kind described, a, moulding-space en closed bymembers which includes removable end elements having air outlets.

17. "In apparatus. for making structures 'of the kind described, av rotor comprising united moulding units 7 each having external, interna l, and end means to enclose respective v v .mo'ul dmgvspaces', a portion of each lnternal .element. being perforated and containing space to receive plastic-material, deflecting means in each said receiving space, and extending across the axis oflrotation means 'wh-ich connect opposed divergent. ends of units holding their moulding elementsin operative relationshi 3-, and means-uniting rotation of, arotor m'olrld, causing saidmw "terial. to thence-travel 'intolp'art of a moulding spac'e whichsurrounds the feed space, 4

causing part of said. material-to travel along one or more' curvlimearextensions. of said :part of-the moulding spacey-the material beforced across the axis 'o-f-rotation slidably filling the whole moulding space,:-a'nd forci bly consolidating'the material. 7

'9. The process of -moulding.plasticmasi-sts iii supplyingv the material centrif'ugally into part of a mouldingspace 'wh-ichsur rounds. the fe'ed space,*caus ingz part of said material to travel along one or moredeviat' iing extensions of said part of the moulding 20 The process ofimoulding plastic material centrifugal ly, which consists" in causing linear balance of the moulding space "by-feeds.

eachunit. f p V g 21. The process of moulding plastic mate= rial tofproduce a reinforccd'or other hollow structure fQrlf the kind set faith, which. com f sli'dably cross the. axis .of rotation, the; ma.

I-sists in supplying the-material centrifugally =-to a feed spacesurroun'ding the axis of rotation ofa rotor mould, causing said materlal to thence travel into part of a curvilinear moulding space which surrounds the feed space, causing part of said material to travel along one or more curvilinear extensions of said part of the moulding space, the material filling the Whole moulding space, and being caused to enter the moulding space differentially according to the quantity of material required to form different parts of 'thecurvilinear structure, and forcibly consolidating the material. 7

22. The process of moulding plastic material to produce a reinforced or other hollow jections tapered in transverse section and being in direct contact W1th and retain the said reinforcement in position relativelyto the core during the centrifugal operation, the said projections being arcuate of and integral With the core.

28. In apparatus for making curvilinear structures of the kinddescribed, a core, part of the length of Which is circumferentially perforated, the balance of the length of which is unperforated and deviates in direction from a straight continuation of the perforated part, and within thelatter a feed space.

29. In apparatus for making structures of the kind described, a contour forming element of elastic material arranged to embrace a moulding member, the said contour forming element being removable from the moulded structure by deformation, and means embedded in the elastic elementto facilitate the said deformation.

' In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my han d. CHARLES vVIlldZIAld WATSON.

23; In the process of'ce'ntrifugally making a hollow structure of the kind described, feeding plastic material into an aperturedcore so that it centrifugally enters a curvilinear moulding space and travels along the space to an end remote from the place of entry, filling the space retrogressively from said end, further material filling the other parts I of the moulding space, and forcibly consolidating the material. I I

24. In apparatus to centrifugally produce a hollow structure of the kind described, a rotor which includes a mould shell and a core spaced apart to form between them'a curvilinear moulding'space part ofwhich surrounds the axisof rotation, and one or more parts of Which diverge from said axis, and

perforations in'that part of the core Which surrounds the axis. v i

I 25 In apparatus for making structures of the kind described centrifugally, a core having divisions forming With a moulding shell, a. moulding space, the" divisions diverging fromthe axisof rotation, and being engaged 'by jointing means.

26. In apparatus for making structures of thekind described centrifugally, the structures containing metal reinforcement of cage form, a core carrying circumferential proj ec- 1 ftions tapered 'intransverse section and being in direct contact Withand retain-the said reinforcement'in position relativelyto the core'diiring the centrifugal operation.

27. In apparatus for'making structures of the'kinddescribed centrifugally, the struc-.

turescontaining metal reinforcement of cage form,- a fcore carrying circumferential pro- 

